new York (dpa) – The designated US President Donald Trump failed in his attempt to overturn the verdict imposed on him in New York for concealing hush money payments. The responsible judge, Juan Merchan, upheld the guilty verdict against the Republican.
Trump's lawyers had argued that US presidents should comply with a Supreme Court ruling United States enjoy extensive immunity for actions in office. However, Judge Merchan explained that this decision does not apply in the current case because the disputed hush money payments to a porn actress were before Trump's first Presidency from 2017 to 2021. Furthermore, these were acts as a private citizen.
Trump's lawyers had also argued that the statements from White House employees had also used official sources and thus compromised the integrity of the process. The judge did not follow this reasoning.
Trump's lawyers continue to challenge the guilty verdict
But the rejected application is not the only one aimed at legally exonerating the future US president. In another case, his team argues that the outgoing incumbent Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter and justified his death with “unjust” and politically motivated treatment by the judiciary – Trump fell victim to the same type of “political theater,” which is why the guilty verdict is void, so are the lawyers. A decision on this is still pending.
The trial was about the illegal concealment of $130,000 in hush money that Trump had paid to a porn actress – according to the court's conviction, with the aim of gaining advantages in the 2016 election campaign. Jurors in New York found Trump guilty on 34 counts at the end of May. It was the first time in United States history that a former president was convicted of a crime. If the guilty verdict stands, Trump will be the first US president to rule as a convicted felon.
When Trump might find out his punishment
It remained unclear when Judge Merchan might decide on Trump's punishment. Prosecutors have already expressed an openness to delaying sentencing until after the Republican's second term ends in 2029. An announcement of the punishment before Trump's inauguration on January 20th seems unrealistic. In the worst case scenario, he would face a prison sentence of several years. However, a suspended sentence or a fine is considered more likely.
